Patents Examined by Amanda Scott
  • Patent number: 8652132
    Abstract: A grasping treatment device includes a jaw attached to a distal portion of a sheath rotatably around a rotation axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, and opening/closing relative to a distal portion of the probe in open/close directions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the rotation axis, and a support member provided between the probe and the sheath, and preventing contact between the probe and the sheath. The support member includes a most-distal support member located on the most distal direction side, and the position of the most-distal support member coinciding with the rotation axis of the jaw in directions parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Tsuchiya, Yuki Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8647339
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter system capable of precisely predicting the surface temperature of a balloon which directly heats a target tissue without allowing a temperature sensor to directly contact with a balloon membrane. In the radiofrequency thermal balloon catheter system, a vibrational wave W is applied to an inside of the balloon 6 through a solution transport path 11 by means of a vibration generator 42. An in-balloon temperature sensor 8 is insulated from the electrode 7 for delivery of radiofrequency current to be fixed in the vicinity of a distal end of an inner tube 3 and then the temperature of the swirls S flowing along the inner surface of the balloon 6 is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Electel Inc.
    Inventor: Shutaro Satake
  • Patent number: 8641711
    Abstract: Devices and methods for ablating tissue in the wall of various organs of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to cure or ameliorate metabolic pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes mellitus are provided. Ablational treatment of target areas may be fractional or partial, rendering a post-treatment portion of target tissue ablated and another portion that is substantially intact. Fractional ablation is achieved by controlling the delivery of ablational energy across the surface area being treated, and controlling the depth of energy penetration into tissue. Surface area control of energy delivery may controlled by the spatial pattern of distributed ablation elements or by the selective activation of a subset of a dense pattern of ablation elements. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Douglas Kelly, David S. Utley, Robert A. Ganz, Michael P. Wallace, Nathan Every
  • Patent number: 8632534
    Abstract: A method for treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or chronic bronchitis to alleviate the discomforts of breathing by using non-thermal electroporation energy to ablate diseased portions of the lung including the bronchus, airways and alveoli which, in effect, opens the restrictive diseased portions thereby maximizing the overall surface area thereof causing improved airflow and uninhibited breathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Pearson, Mark V. Ortiz, Peter Callas
  • Patent number: 8632532
    Abstract: A medical probe includes an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, an ablative element mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, and a cage assembly mounted to the distal end of the elongate member, the cage assembly at least partially covers the ablative element. A method of treating tissue in a body includes inserting an ablative element in the body, placing the ablative element adjacent the tissue, and maintaining a distance between the ablative element and the tissue using a protective catheter element that circumscribes at least a portion of the ablative element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy D. Phan, David K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 8623005
    Abstract: A method for creating a channel through a foreign material located in a body of a patient, the foreign material defining a material first surface and a substantially opposed material second surface, the channel extending through the foreign material between the material first and second surfaces, the method using an apparatus including an electrode, the method comprising: positioning the electrode substantially adjacent to the material first surface; energizing the electrode with a radiofrequency current; and using the electrode energized with the radiofrequency current to deliver energy into the foreign material to create the channel, wherein the foreign material is included in a stent graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Baylis Medical Company Inc.
    Inventors: Youssef Biadillah, Amanda Hartley, Gareth Davies, Naheed Visram, Taras Juzkiw
  • Patent number: 8617156
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue. Embodiments include an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements attached to a deployable carrier assembly. The carrier assembly can be constrained within the lumen of a catheter, and deployed to take on an expanded condition. The carrier assembly includes multiple electrodes that are configured to ablate tissue at low power. Additional embodiments include a system that includes an interface unit for delivering one or more forms of energy to the ablation catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Christopher G. Kunis, J. Christopher Flaherty, Marshall L. Sherman
  • Patent number: 8617152
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for the ablation of tissue and treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. An ablation system includes an ablation catheter that has an array of ablation elements and a location element, an esophageal probe also including a location element, and an interface unit that provides energy to the ablation catheter. The distance between the location elements, determined by calculating means of the system, can be used by the system to set or modify one or more system parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell L. Werneth, Marshall L. Sherman, J. Christopher Flaherty
  • Patent number: 8613742
    Abstract: A method for sealing fluid-carrying vessels in a living organism using high temperature plasma is disclosed. A flow rate of 0.25-0.5 L/min of room-temperature plasma generating gas and the initial temperature of the discharged plasma of 12.5-15.5 kK ensure a laminar plasma flow and its ability to penetrate into the vessel. The plasma flow is directed into the vessel, where it keeps a portion of the vessel free of liquid. Heat is transferred to the vessel walls, and the denaturing of collagen in the vessel walls causes the walls to contract until complete occlusion occurs. The method may be used with devices adapted for tissue dissection and coagulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Plasma Surgical Investments Limited
    Inventor: Nikolay Suslov
  • Patent number: 8608736
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for performing a procedure within a patient's body that include a tubular member including proximal and distal ends, a central axis or region extending therebetween, and a distal portion extending distally from an intermediate portion to the distal end. One or more accessory lumens and a steering element lumen extend between the proximal and distal ends, the steering element lumen offset from the central region within the distal portion such that a steering plane intersects the steering element lumen and the central axis. The distal portion includes a core member extending between the intermediate portion and the distal end, and stabilization elements embedded in the core member adjacent the accessory lumen and defining a stabilization plane that intersects the steering plane at a location offset from the central region, e.g., closer to the accessory lumen than the steering element lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: VascoMed GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Kaufmann, Stephen A. Leeflang, Christian S. Eversull, Wolfgang Geistert
  • Patent number: 8608735
    Abstract: A medical device includes an insertion shaft, having a longitudinal axis and having a distal end adapted for insertion into a body of a patient. A resilient end section is fixed to the distal end of the insertion shaft and is formed so as to define, when unconstrained, an arc oriented obliquely relative to the axis and having a center of curvature on the axis. One or more electrodes are disposed at respective locations along the end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Govari, Shahram Moaddeb, Michael Olen Zirkle, Christopher Beeckler, Philippa Hill, Andres Claudio Altmann
  • Patent number: 8608730
    Abstract: A thermal treatment medical system including an umbilical having a first portion and a second portion, and a connector including a male coupling body connected to the first portion, the male coupling body having a central shank defining first and second lumens, a female coupling body connected to the second portion, the female coupling body, matable with the male coupling body and defining third and fourth lumens matable to be in fluid communication with the first and second lumens, respectively, to define first and second fluid flow pathways, respectively, through the connector when the male coupling body is mated with the female coupling body. The second fluid flow pathway is co-axially disposed about a central axis coincident with the first fluid flow pathway. The connector includes a mating mechanism for spatially locking the male and female coupling bodies with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Marwan Abboud, Domenic Santoianni, Philippe Marchand, Rachid Mahrouche, Patrick St-Louis
  • Patent number: 8603152
    Abstract: An in-ear stimulator for administering thermal stimulation to the ear canal of a subject includes (a) an earpiece configured to be insertable into the ear canal of said subject, the earpiece having an outer surface and an internal cavity formed therein, the internal cavity having an inner surface; and (b) at least one thermoelectric device thermally coupled to the earpiece internal cavity inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Scion NeuroStim, LLC
    Inventors: Lanty L. Smith, Lesco L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 8597285
    Abstract: A cryoprobe for use in cryosurgery and other applications comprising a rigid outer tube, an inner coolant inlet tube. a short rigid penetrating segment extending distally from the distal end of the outer tube and a helical-shaped baffle having a heating element disposed about the outer surface of the inlet tube. The baffle is adapted to produce turbulent fluid flow improving heat transfer and is able to warm target tissue during rapid freezing and thawing cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sanarus Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Russell L. DeLonzor, James B. Ross, Mathew J. Nalipinski, Keith Turner, David J. Foster, Tom A. Oakley, Michael R. Cane
  • Patent number: 8591511
    Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at its distal end. The jaw members are movable about a pivot assembly from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue. One or both of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along its length. The pivot assembly includes a knife slot and is configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the open position and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the closed position. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism from a first position to at least one subsequent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Paul R. Romero
  • Patent number: 8585693
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Syneron Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter G. Knopp, Bankim H. Mehta
  • Patent number: 8579891
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Metavention, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Allen Coe, Bobak Robert Azamian, Scott Bradley Vafai
  • Patent number: 8574227
    Abstract: A surgical antenna for radiating microwave energy (e.g. frequency 500 MHz to 60 GHz) from a e.g. ceramic insertion tip (60) into biological tissue is disclosed. The tip is provided at the end of an elongate body which delivers the microwave energy to the tip via an inner conductor (30), an outer conductor (20) surrounding the inner conductor and a dielectric material (50) therebetween. The impedance of the insertion tip (60) is selected to improve impedance matching with the complex conjugate of the complex impedance of the tissue at a treatment frequency. For example the insertion tip may act as or include at least one quarter wavelength impedance transformer. By closely matching the antenna's impedance to the tissue, dynamic tuning (if used) can be performed much more efficiently. Impedance matching at the tip can also focus the radiated energy distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medical Device Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Hancock, Malcolm White
  • Patent number: 8574230
    Abstract: An open electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at its distal end. The jaw members are movable about a pivot assembly from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating electrosurgical energy through grasped tissue. One or both of the jaw members includes a knife channel defined along its length. The pivot assembly includes a knife slot and is configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the open position and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the closed position. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism from a first position to at least one subsequent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Paul R. Romero
  • Patent number: 8568399
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Metavention, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobak Robert Azamian, Scott Bradley Vafai, Jonathan Allen Coe